The Psychology of Human Development

The content of this course is very interesting because it presents information about human development and behavior. I gained ample insights throughout the lecture as well as when I took up additional reading on the topic discussed in classroom. It definitely expanded my knowledge about the psychology of human development. I have highlighted some key points in this note on what I have learnt in this wonderful journey as well as how the content of this course had impacted my life. I will also relate the insights with my past activities for a better learning experience. The breakdown of the content is discussed according to every lecture. 

Lecture 1: The life span development psychology

Insights gained in this class

My understanding about human development prior to this class was mainly on physical and emotional development. In this lecture, I understand that human development is multi dimensional, interdisciplinary and continues through life span. It is influenced by environment as well as hereditary and has constant continuity and discontinuity. Human development is also cumulative where it is affected by past experiences and cyclical. It is repetitive and reciprocal. This means the development undergoes same stages few times and it functions in two ways.

The mapping of life timeline activity in class makes me to reflect on various events that had taken place in my life.

Concepts, Research and Theories on this topic

Some observational studies such as longitudinal studies discuss on the righteousness of blaming the past for how you are behaving in present. Bell (1968) states parental behavior at home environment will reflect personalities of children. Heraclitus’s river paradox quotes that you can’t cross the same river twice interpreted as every experience of doing a same thing is different and hence, the result is different.

How the content of this course relates to my past life experiences

When I was a kid, I develop a white spot in my iris. This was spotted by my uncle and later I was referred to an eye specialist for diagnosis. After several consultation and test, the doctor suggested me to undergo laser treatment. This news shocked my parents. At tender age of 10, I don’t even know the meaning of laser. However, after six month of intensive treatment finally my eyes got back to normal.
I had to wear spectacles since then and not allowed to play under sun for very long period. I hated wearing spectacles and this reduces my self confidence. Reduced self confidence became a hindrance for me to communicate and perform in class. I believe that physical, emotional, cognitive and social development relates with each other in human development.

Lecture 2 & 3 - Psychoanalytic, Learning, Humanistic and Cognitive Theories

Insights gained in this class

In these classes, I have learnt about few theories namely Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, psychosexual theories by Sigmund Freud on id, ego and super ego and Erickson’s human development stage. I also learnt about Pavlov and Skinner’s theories, Albert Bandura’s social learning theories, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Carl Roger’s humanistic approach, stages of cognitive development by Jean Piaget, classical conditioning theory by Jean Watson, Super’s Life span, Trait and Factor theory, and Leanord’s personality styles.

How the content of this course relates to my past life experiences

In reference to behavioral perspective and operant conditioning by skinner a reward for positive behavior and sustain positive behavior to get better result. As a teacher, I usually give praises to my student if they had completed their assignments on time or when they willing to volunteer in class. I discovered that a simple compliment of being proud of them motivates them to perform better in class.

Lecture 4 - Career Development Theories (RIASEC)

Insights gained in this class

As discussed in class, I understand that most students in their tertiary education have an ideal workplace mindset before entering the work force. An ideal workplace at least for me should be a platform with understanding, supportive group. It should be a non-bias institution with flexible timing, less bureaucracy, not rigid and no hierarchy. The company should emphasis value development and respect on each other, motivating, and give freedom to make decision and exhibit creativity. The management should give room for improvement to the team as well. Assuming the workplace is ideal, there are other challenges in workplace such as the member still discovering passion, set limitation to self, demand more income, could not cope with work culture or superior, having work stress, time management issues, safety concern and generation gap issues. Some of the ways to cope with workplace challenges are to attend counseling, engage with coach, learn to adapting to the culture, being positive, willing to take risk and able to make decision and stay firm with it.

Concepts, Research and Theories on this topic

Holland Code (RIASEC) career test was discussed during this lesson. This model relates vocational and career choices based on the personality types. The 6 personality types highlighted in this model are Realistic (Doers), Investigative (Thinkers), Artistic (Creators), Social (Helpers), Enterprising (Persuaders) and Conventional (Organizers). The suggested occupation for the personality types was searched in O*Net online.

How the content of this course relates to my past life experiences

Similar to other graduates, I too had an ideal perception of career world when I was graduating. I realize the interest on being at certain job changes over time. For instance, during the internship years, I realize that I did not like to work in a manufacturing company and later I realized that I do not prefer to work at laboratory when I was involved in my final year project. I always wanted to work in an organization that gives me freedom to do make my own decision and allows me to be creative in my job. I love creating values in people. I choose teaching though its challenging. I feel happy to see the kids and over a period of time, I discovered that when I do something I love, I rarely feel tired of doing.

Lecture 5 Identities and Personality Development 

Insights gained in this class

In this class, we were grouped into 6 groups after completing a simple personality test. We were then assigned to draw our ideal workplace. The outcome was presented to class and was later debrief by Mr.Eric. The general personalities of people and ways to adjust with other personality styles were explained. The basic personality’s styles were neutral DOVE, analytical OWL, relational PEACOCK, decisive EAGLE and openness SWAN.

The dove is classified as harmony seeker and similarly the dove group presented workplace that emphasis peace, nature and tranquility. The members of the dove group work together and support each other as a team. I learnt that people with dove personalities are loyal and agreeable. However, they sometimes become too dependent and tend to procrastinate.

The owl is classified as detail seeker and similarly the owl group exhibit a workplace that is so details that separates the work and fun factor. The member of owl group has perfection in the plan and meticulous about each detail.

The peacock group is an excitement seeker and similarly the peacock group was the noisiest throughout the discussion session. The members are enthusiastic, dramatic and friendly. The ideal workplace for peacock group is creative and displays fun element pivotal to them.

The eagle group is result seeker and the members of this group come out with an ideal workplace that showcases convenience of doing work. The plan only focuses work element without any fun factor.

The swan group presents a workplace that is multipurpose. They showcase flexibility through their model. These show them to be creative and different.

How the content of this course relates to my past life experiences

I discovered my personality style as peacock and the description given match to my personality. I love to work in a fun environment and could not work at my best for rigid systems. I could not take orders from people who are rude to me. I love attention, compliments and approval. I don’t mix with a lot of people but I hate losing people who are close to my heart. I believe in quality than quantity.
Some of the setbacks I have is being lazy, procrastinates, talk a lot, and interrupt during conversation and not giving undivided attention. I am still working on it and hope to improve by the end of this master’s programme.

Lecture 6- Emotional Intelligence

Insights gained in this class

The four quadrants are Self Awareness, Self Management, Social Awareness and Relationship Management. Dr.Eugene had explained clearly the six basic emotions as being fear, happy, sad, angry, surprised and disgusted. After the explanation and understanding, I realized it easier to control emotions. I also got to know that being emotional is not same as being moody. Being in fear meaning a person has no control over a situation or uncertain about something. A happy person usually exhibits satisfaction and it is usually happen due to achievement, reward or validation. Anger is naturally shown due to blocked goals or arises from discomfort or unpleasant situation. It can be displaced to something else if a person has weak emotional control. In this lecture, I learn more about myself by relating my emotions as metaphors. For instance, when I am in fearful situation, I would want to hide, isolate, sleep and think deeply. 

I also learn that giving a shape or form to emotion will help me to deal with it easily. Another powerful lesson for me is that human tend to exhibit emotional influence first and justify it later. A typical example is that when my moms slaps my sister for her misbehavior and later justify it by stating that her action is such as she cares for her. I discovered that my highest emotional intelligent ability is on use of emotions or relationship management. Every Sunday, I narrate my emotions and this is a great insight or technique that I learn from this course. Narrating and reappraising my emotions enables me to understand my emotions better. I have created my personal resilient plan and share this knowledge with my students and sister. It includes flow activities, meditation, journaling and writing. Sometimes, I will build social support or exercise to reduce stress. Last but not least, learn to read body language and dealing with emotional blackmail is a fun lesson. Learning some basic body language enables me to interpret the message people trying to deliver unconsciously. Psychologically, take up space meaning increase in confidence. 

Lecture 7 Inclusions and Diversities 

Insights gained in this class

The description of culture given by Mr. Kingsley was very interesting. Culture means the way we do things here. Culture exhibits both the implicit and explicit method of doing things such as the way people talk and the way they do not talk. He also mentioned that we need to be aware of what surprises us. Some of the most important component in workplace is Brand, Productivity and Performance. Through one of the activity, I realize that it is not right to put people in box; classify them according to my opinion. This is because by doing I will filter the information given and make a wrong assumption based on my views. First way to respect people is to pay undivided attention, ask questions out of curiosity and by not being judgmental. One of the ways to change mindset of people is to create willingness in people to change. I also learn that any relationship should undergo this four phase.

                                           Initiate -> Develop -> Evolve -> Relationship

Last but not least, learning one of the neuro-liguistic programming techniques was really interesting especially interpreting the eye movement and mirroring body position for maximum resonance and building rapport.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Journal References

PlominRobert. (1991). The nature of nurture:Genetic influence on ''envionmental" measures. Behavioural and Brain Sciences, 373-427.

Carothers,B. J.,&Reis, H. T. (2012,October 22) Men and Women are from Earth:Examining the Latent Structure of Gender. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Lecture Notes

The Psychology of Human Development Lecture Notes 1 The Psychology of Human Development Lecture Notes 2 & 3 Theories of Human Development (pg 36-51)

Website

http://files.hbe.com.au/flyerlibrary/Social/Emotional%20Intelligence%20-%20May%202012.pdf 

http://richardstep.com/self-tests-quizzes/dope-bird-personality-test-printable/